Effect of Environmental Pollution on African Catfish, Clarias gariepinus from Orioke River in Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Aquatic pollution is a major environmental issue worldwide. This study evaluated the extent of pollution of Ori Oke River in Orioke Iwamimo, an oil producing area in Ondo State, Nigeria by assessing the levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), arsenite (As), nickel (Ni) and some oxidative stress indices in the liver and muscle of African Catfish Clarias gariepinus from the River. Clarias gariepinus from Ilesanmi Fishery in Ondo State were used as control. From the results, there was increase in the concentration of all the heavy metals analysed in the liver and muscle of Clarias gariepinus from Orioke River when compared with control. There was also an increase in malondialdiahyde level (an index of lipid peroxidation) in the liver and muscle of Clarias gariepinus from Orioke River compared with control. Glutathione (GSH) concentration and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity decreased in the liver of fish samples from Ori Oke River compared with control. There was an induction of catalase (CAT) activity in the liver and muscle of Clarias gariepinus from Ori Oke River when compared with control. However there was a decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in liver and muscle of the fish compared with control. Increase in lipid peroxidation and alterations in antioxidant status in Clarias gariepinus from Orioke River show that the fish were under oxidative stress. This suggests that the River is polluted. This could be dangerous to the health of people who consume fishes and other aquatic organisms from the River.